Best P-51 Mustang Nose Art of World War II

Perhaps more than any other aircraft in service during the war, the P-51, because of its widespread use, saw more fascinating nose art than almost any other fighter aircraft.

Here’s a list of the best P-51 nose art of WWII:

1. Donald Duck

A member of the 4th Fighter Group and flown by Capt. Donald Emerson, this aircraft saw plenty of action and likely carried Emerson during many of his 89 combat missions. At the same time, he scored seven victories over German aircraft in the summer and fall of 1944.

This Mustang boasted one of the largest and, undoubtedly, one of the most recognizable pieces of nose art during the war, thanks to the Disney company, which freely offered many of its artists and images for use by combat fighter and bomber groups. Capt. Donald got to fly his cartoon counterpart on the side of his bird. This no doubt brought laughs to bomber crews.

2. Pettie 2nd

This particular blue-nosed Mustang of the 352nd Fighter Group was named Petie 2nd by Lt. Col. John Meyer. What makes this Mustang nose art particularly noteworthy is that it includes a name, a unique piece of art underneath the cockpit, and a lengthy tally of German kills to boot.

3. Hoo Flung Dung

Coming in at the third spot is an aircraft without any nose art; instead, it simply bears a name. This P-51 was assigned to the 9th Air Force, and particularly worthy on this Mustang is the three Japanese and three German kills on the side, a very rare feature that likely indicates in pilot, McWarter served in the Pacific for an initial tour of duty, downing three Japanese planes before coming to Europe for a second tour in which he downed three more Germans. This clearly explains the Pacific theme design of the nose art, which was likely carried over from a plane he flew there.

4. Big Beautiful Doll

This iconic warbird, flown by the 78th Fighter Group Commanding Officer, Jack Landers, was also one without any traditional nose art. However, we can all agree that the checkered board can count for something, making it one of the best looks the US Air Force ever displayed.

With stunning color coordination, a perfect script for font, and a full grid of swastikas topping it off, she was an undeniably gorgeous plane. Flying in this P-51, Landers scored no less than two of his five air-to-air kills in Europe and a handful of grounded kills as well.

5. Shangri-la

The Shangri-la was another Mustang flown by the 4th Fighter group, which was flown by her most famous pilot, Don Gintilli. A word that means earthly paradise, Shangri-la, was a fitting name for Gintilli’s Mustang as he would fly it to become one of the most famous American pilots of the war.

Although not all of his 19 aerial kills were scored in Shari-la, many were. Flying in a time when the Luftwaffe was still powerful and dogfights against Messerschmitts were no simple feat. The bulk of Shangri-la’s victories would come in early 1944 and would be painted on the side of a white scroll, making it very sleek and noticeable.